What are class library projects in Visual Studio 2017?

In Visual Studio Community 2017 you come across a number of templates of type, class library as shown here only for C# and F#.

ClassLibraryCom2017_0

Well, is there a need for so many of them? Visual Studio 2017 is targeting many more platforms and it is nice to have templates for each of them. Actually templates are the best starting points for any development.

The project folder and the code for the Class Library .NET Core is shown here. It can be used for projects for several platforms where .NET core is supported. Review the dependencies.

The project folder and the code for the Class Library .NET Standard is shown here. The dependency is on .NET Standard Library.

The project folder and the code for the Class Library .NET Framework is shown here. You create .dll with this template.

With the development of projects for the Universal Windows Platform, a class library project that targets UWP is also available in Visual Studio Community 2017 (free).

However there is one detail that needs to be taken into consideration as to which version of Windows platform should be used.

In this present case the following version is chosen.

The template folder and code for the Class Library for creating applications for UWP is as shown. Note the reference to the Microsoft.NETCore.UniversalWindowsPlatform

In addition to the above there are many more template types summarized here for other specific platforms:

Class Library (Android) Creates Xamarin.Android class library

Bindings Library(Android) Xamarin.Android class library that binds to Java jar.

Class Library (watchOS) Xamarin.WatchOS library 

Class Library (tvOS)  Unified library project for tvOS

Class Library (iOS) creates a Xamarin.iOS library project for iOS

Class Library(U-SQL Application) is of type Azure Data Lake, a project for creating class library(.dll) that can run on U-SQL.

Class Library(Legacy Portable) is discontinued. It is suggested to use Class Library .NET Standard.

What is RavPower Filehub?

RavPower Filehub has a number of functionalities in one small device. What I have is a model called 'Seabird', a middle range device in the Filehubs. They have one called 'Combi' a low end device and 'Pon' a higher end device.

I am basically interested in file transfers from my phones which have reached limits for storage and I would like to have files on my own device rather than in the cloud. I think this device would do it.

I have just started using it and perhaps in a couple of days I should be able to verify its full potential. This is just the basic set up and it is fairly easy to use as you can read from the post.

You need to download software (from www.RavPower.com) for the device and they have software to go with the iOS, Windows, Android and Mac Platforms. Since I needed file transfer capability from both Lumia 950 and iPhone 6S, I downloaded the required files shown in this image.

FileHub Plus_V1.0.8.0.exe   Windows
FileHub Plus V2.0.024.ipa   iOS


Basic set up for file transfer:

• Install the Windows version of FileHub Plus.

• You connect your storage device to the Filehub with a USB Cable. The storage device in this case is the My Passport ULTRA from Western Dynamics.

• Turn on the Filehub device and hold the power for the Wi-Fi indicator at the ceenter of the device above the power button. In the beginning it will flicker and then becomes steady.

• Now turn on your PC which is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Refresh the Wi-Fi Connections.

RP-WD03_01.jpg

Run the downloaded executable (FileHub Plus_V1.0.8.0.exe) and the login window is displayed and hit the center REFRESH button. The device is discovered

 

RP-WD03_02.JPG

Highlight the device in the above and click Log In button to display the FileHub Plus login screen. Just click Login as the password is empty (you can change it later if you wish to).

RP-WD03_03.JPG

The password is blank and remove if any characters are in this field. If there are no errors then you should see this FileHub Plus dashboard.

RP-WD03_04.JPG

Click on Settings and review the Settings menu.

RP-WD03_05.JPG

The next image shows that I can connect to two of my windows devices on the Wi-Fi (from Network DNS Clients).

RP-WD03_06.JPG
The basic set up is very easy and with the dashboard which is nicely arranged you can test out the other file operations.

Problems encountered in file transfer.

The app cannot find the local files.

How do you fix this argument label error in the SWIFT program?

While trying to compile and run the following (see link at the bottom of post) program using SwiftFor Windows,
---
func sayHello(personName: String) -> String {
        let greeting = "Hello, " + personName + "!"
        return greeting
    }

print(sayHello("Jay"))
--------
The SwiftForWindows compiler spit out this error:

SwiftError_00

The compiler did indicate the location and the missing label.  The change was made in the print statement by providing the missing label (personName)

The program was modified as shown:
-------------------
func sayHello(personName: String) -> String {
        let greeting = "Hello, " + personName + "!"
        return greeting
    }

print(sayHello(personName:"Jay"))
---
With this the compiler produced no errors.

SwiftError_01

Now after hiting the Run button, the program produced the following response:

SwiftError_02
This sample was taken from SWIFT ver2.2 documentation:

https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/Swift/Conceptual/Swift_Programming_Language/Functions.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40014097-CH10-ID158Is the error due to differences in the SWIFT compiler version?

How do you compile and run SWIFT programs on Windows 10?

Presently it is possible to compile and run programs written in SWIFT language on Windows 10. You need to download the program as described in this post.

Programs written in SWIFT has the extension .swift. You can use any text editor and here is a simple program written using Notepad and saved to your hard drive. Note that it has to be in the following directory, C:\SwiftForWindows\Swift

//--Function definition
func sayHello(personName: String) -> String {
        let greeting = "Hello, " + personName + "!"
        return greeting
    }
//Function Call
print(sayHello(personName:"Jay"))
//--

Once you download run the Straightforwards.msi (please see the post at the top) file by double clicking it. There may be warnings from the computer not to run it, but ignore and install it.

This leaves a shortcut on your desktop.

When you click on this shortcut the Swift For Windows window opens as shown.

Swift_02

It is simple to use. Select the file and then hit Compile after choosing your platform. A command-line window opens which you can close if there are no compilation errors.

Swift_03

Close the window and have a look at the Logs. Then hit Run. That's it. Again the comand-line window opens displaying the results of your program.

Swift_04

In summary:
1. Create the Swift program file on a text editor and save it with the extension .swift to a specific directory.
2. Choose the platform you are using

Swift_05

3. Hit Run

That's it.

Do you want to build real time communication apps in JavaScript?

You can use Intel XDK together with Intel Collaboration Suite for Web RTC to build the real time communication apps.

With Intel Collaboration Suite for Web RTC (Intel CS for WebRTC )it is possible to build apps for real time communication over the web.

You need to use the Intel CS for WebRTC SDK built on top of W3C standard for WebRTC. You can create apps for broadcast, peer-to-peer and apps for conference.

To cater to the major OSs and HTML, the SDK is available in four versions one each for:

• Android
• JavaScript
• iOS
• Windows

There is a server that you need to get used to:
Intel CS for WebRTC Conference Server that provides the Video Conference Service that streams the service to many end points with the following quoted features:

• High performance, VP8 and H.264 real-time transcoding with Intel® Iris™ Pro and Intel HD Graphics
• Scalable multipoint control unit (MCU) server
• Efficient mixing of HD video streams for saving bandwidth and power on mobile device
• Intelligent QoS control mechanism that adapts to different network environments

If you are building with JavaScript there are browser requirements and you should get this:
CS_WebRTC_Client_SDK_JavaScript..zip .

BrowserReq.png
For details go here:
https://software.intel.com/sites/products/documentation/webrtc/js/index.html

More information available here:
http://software.intel.com/en-us/webrtc-sdk

What is Unity? Where can I get it?

If you are a game developer, I suppose you may not even read this post. Unity is a multi-platform, 2D/3D game development engine and you can learn about it here (unity3d.com).

It is supported on most platforms and a leader in game development. With just one click you can deploy to:

• Mobile - iOS, Android, Windows and Tizen
• VR
• Desktop
• Web
• Console and 
• TV platforms.

Here are the platforms to which you can deploy the games.



Unity_01

If you are developing for the mobile area it has lots of built-in stuff:

• One-click deployment to Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and Tizen.
• Tons of optimizations thanks to features like occlusion culling, asset bundling, and build size stripping.
• World class monetization and retention services for mobile games.
• Dedicated, easy to use 3D and 2D tools and workflows.

Unity for VR and AR is already garnering from most vendors shown here:

Unity_02

You can develop very immersive and entertaining games for the desktop be it Windows, Mac or Linus/StreamOS

Unity_03

If you have game console such as XBOX, PS4, Wii and 3DS they are covered too:

Unity_04

I have a Samsung TV can I deploy? of course you can. Unity supports these Smart TVs as well:
Android TV
Samsung TV
Apple TV

 
Unity_05

Now what about Web?

Of course you can target the Web and it has already been used commercially.

Unity_06

Hay! What are you waiting for? Download.

Why fret?
Download the free stuff
Just to get your feet wet
Don't huff and huff!

Get the free stuff here:
http://unity3d.com/get-unity



If you like it and if you can work with it, go and get the professional.
If you are going to work with Microsoft's latest, Hololens, also get the Visual Studio 2015 Community. It is already integrated to work with Hololens and you can get your Unity projects into it.

Let us Game!

Source: Pictures and some language taken from Unity site.

What is Intel XDK?

 This is the age of mobile and mobile applications will be dominant in the coming years.

Intel XDK is a good tool to create cross-platform mobile applications for diverse device foot prints from Smart Phones starting with generation 3 all the way to 7 from diverse manufacturers, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Black Berry etc. Developers using Intel XDK can test their apps on their own device over Wi-Fi; test them in the emulators and debug them as well.

If you are interested there are various resources on the web. But first get to this site:
https://software.intel.com/en-us/intel-xdk.

 The support forum is very active with Intel staff answering questions from users.

You can do lots of stuff, these are just for starters:

 There are many step-by-step tutorials on our other site: http://hodentekMobile.blogspot.com.

Here are some direct links on the above site:

Part 1:Creating a Intel XDK project using a template; SideMenu project UI, SideMenu on iPhone6 emulator
http://hodentekmobile.blogspot.com/2015/11/develop-side-menu-app-using-intel-xdk.html

Part 2: Review of Controls and Layout as well as working with Pages. Pages in a SideMenu
http://hodentekmobile.blogspot.com/2015/12/develop-side-menu-app-using-intel-xdk.html

Part 3: Linking the pages and Navigation
http://hodentekmobile.blogspot.com/2015/12/develop-side-menu-app-using-intel-xdk_19.html

Part 4: Adding the BACK button to return to the previous page.
http://hodentekmobile.blogspot.com/2015/12/develop-side-menu-app-using-intel-xdk_26.html

Part 5: Adding pages and organizing controls  to the project
http://hodentekmobile.blogspot.com/2016/01/develop-side-menu-app-using-intel-xdk.html

The project you create will be on a server. For accessing the app from the server over Wi-Fi you need the Intel App Preview which is available for most devices and the software gets updated and the preview app is available from the app store (Apple store, Windows Store, etc.).

The Intel App Preview is available for the latest phones as well, such as iPhone 6, Microsoft Lumia 950 and many others.

For iOS devices from Apple Store:

 

For Windows Phone from Microsoft Store (Windows 10) :

I recently created several apps and naturally wanted to see how it works. I downloaded Intel App Preview for both iPhone 6S and Microsoft Lumia 950. I was surprised to find that generally Microsoft Lumia 950 did a much better hob, or rather the Preview fared much better on Lumia 950.
One of the biggest drawbacks of using the Preview on iPhone 6S was that once you click to look at an app, there is no way you can go back to the Preview activation link. You will have to delete Intel App Preview and reinstall again. For example, I opened an app, 'Hodentek Books', the page shows up neatly, but how do I go back?  The 'back' on the screen is actually a refresh to populate a 'iFrame' widget.

Iphone6_WidgetTest.png

On Microsoft Lumia Intel App Preview fared much better because of the software back button that takes you back to the quiescent state of Intel App Preview.

However the access time of the apps from both the devices over Wi-Fi were quite long and will not match with the patience of the audience.

On the fidelity of the app on the phones, the iPhone 6S was identical to the one on related emulator in Intel XDK. The Windows 10's rendition was far from perfect although the claim is made that styling issues have been fixed. However, the present emulator was really made for Windows 8.1 but tested on Windows 10. It may be noted that Intel App Preview claims to have been built for Windows 10 which perhaps is an optimistic statement.

I had a response from the Intel XDK Forums (User Forums| App Framework) that a new version for Windows 10 will be released soon. Perhaps things can get better.